Secure English Language Testing (SELT)

Frequently asked questions

Please note that this document will be updated as new providers come on line
What is a SELT provider?
For certain visa applications applicants must
demonstrate a certain level of English language
ability. This can be through passing a test with
a Home Office approved Secure English
Language Testing (SELT) provider. Further information can be found in Appendix O
or on the published list of approved tests.
Which immigration routes require a SELT?
You will need to demonstrate you have met the
required level in English if you are applying in The list of approved SELT tests is published on
one of the following routes: GOV.UK website.
• Innovator
• Start-up
• Tier 2 (General)
• Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
• Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
• Tier 4 (General)
• Representative of an overseas business
• Partner
• Parent
• Settlement
• Citizenship
What tests are accepted as SELT?
Customers can only take a SELT test with one
of the following:
• IELTS SELT Consortium (UK or overseas).
• LanguageCert (International) Ltd (UK or
Overseas)
• Trinity College London (UK only);

The IELTS SELT Consortium tests are:

• IELTS for UKVI
• Life Skills

The approved LanguageCert (International) Ltd

tests are:
• LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

The approved Trinity College London tests are:

• Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
• Graded Examinations in Spoken English
(GESE)
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Which test should I take?
It is for you to decide which SELT test to take.
The tests on the published list are acceptable
for a number of immigration routes. You should
take the level of test required for the
immigration route you are applying for.
What is the difference between the tests?
There are two types of test as different
immigration routes require different English
language ability. Tests will assess your
speaking and listening ability or will test your
reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities
depending which immigration route is required.
Should I sit a test that just assesses my
speaking and listening abilities or the one
that assesses all four abilities?
You will need to take the test required for the
route you are applying under.
You will need to sit a test that assesses all four
abilities if you are applying in one of the
following routes:
• Innovator
• Start-up
• Tier 2 (General)
• Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
• Tier 4 (General)
You will need to sit a test that assesses just
your speaking and listening abilities if you are
applying in one of the following routes:
• Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
• Representative of an overseas business
• Partner
• Parent
• Settlement
• Citizenship
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Which test should settlement or nationality
candidates take?
Applicants should sit a SELT test that assesses
their speaking and listening abilities. They do
not need to evidence their reading and writing
abilities.
Which test should customers making initial
applications as partners or parents take?
Applicants should take a SELT test that
assesses their speaking and listening abilities.
They do not need to evidence their reading and
writing abilities.
What about customers applying to extend
their leave as partners or parents?
As announced in January 2016, a new English
language requirement at level A2 is being
introduced for non-EEA partners and parents.
This affects those applying to extend their stay
after 2.5 years in the UK on a 5-year route to
settlement under Appendix FM (Family
Member) of the Immigration Rules. The new
requirement will apply to partners and parents
whose current leave under the family
Immigration Rules is due to expire on or after
1st May 2017.
What is the process for taking a SELT?
You can only take a SELT test offered by one of
the organisations on the published list of tests.
You must book your test using the relevant
online booking system. The details used to
book your test must be as stated on your
passport or other the identity document.
On the day of the test you must take the
document you used when booking the test.
The test point point will check this and record
your identity. If you cannot pass the identity
checks, you will not be able to take a test that
day.
If you pass the test you will be provided with a
unique reference number which you must use
in your UK immigration application.
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Where are the exam dates published?
Each provider has their own website where the
exam dates are published. Details of the
booking websites are provided on the published
list of tests.
What is the unique reference number?
All candidates who pass a SELT test will be
issued with a unique reference number. You
must include this number in your UK
immigration application. This number will be
used to identify the candidate and to verify their
results.
What if I don't have a unique reference
number?
If you are not issued with a unique reference
number, the caseworker dealing with your
application will be unable to verify the results.
This may result in your application being
refused.
Will you accept English language tests that
are not on the SELT list?
No. Any tests taken must be on the approved
SELT list.
Will you accept English language tests that
are on the approved list, but not taken at an
approved test point?
No. Any tests taken must be at an approved
test point. The list of approved test point is
available on our website.
Will you accept all tests from an approved
provider?
No. Any tests taken must be on the approved
SELT list. You can take tests for many reasons
at different points but only those tests specified
for immigration use and taken at an approved
point can be used as part of an application for
immigration purposes.
You should take care when booking your test to
ensure that the test that you book is the one
approved for SELT:
• for IELTS, ensure that you choose ‘IELTS
for UKVI’ rather than ‘IELTS’;
• For LangugeCert, ensure that you choose
• for Trinity, ensure that you choose ‘Secure
English Language Tests for UKVI’.
•
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What checks will the test point do?
On the day of your test, you will need to provide
evidence of your identity at the test point before
you will be allowed to take the test. The only
acceptable forms of identification for UK points
are:
• a passport
• a travel document (excluding emergency
travel documents);
• an EU Identity Card;
• a Government ID card (only accepted in
countries where it was issued);
• a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
• a Biometric Registration Card (BRC).
The documents must be originals and include a
photograph. The document must not have
expired. Where the document contains a
signature, this will also be verified on the date
of the test.
Where you are unable to prove your identity,
you will not be allowed to take the test.
What if my passport is held by the Home
Office and I don’t have any other valid
identity documents?
You should contact the Home Office to request
the return of your passport. If you have, or you
are given, a photocopy of your passport the test
point will not allow you to sit the test.
What should I do if I do not have a valid
passport or any other approved identity
documents?
If you do not have one of these documents, you
should contact the Home Office for advice.
Can driving licences be used as proof of
identify?
No. Only the documents listed above can be
accepted.
I sat a test in the UK; can I use it if I apply
outside the UK?
Yes. Tests sat in the UK can be accepted in
applications made in the UK and overseas.
Similarly, tests sat overseas can be accepted in
applications made in the UK.
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There is no test point in the country where I
live. What can I do?
We work with our providers to ensure as many
people as possible have access to a SELT test
point, but we know there are no test points in
certain countries.
If there is not a SELT test point in the country
where you live, you will have to travel to
another country to take a SELT test.
What if I can’t book a test at the location or
date of my preferred choice?
If there is no availability of tests in your chosen
area you should check the availability at the
nearest test point.
If you are unable to book a test on the day of
your choice or at the point of your choice you
should check with other test points that may
have availability. You should always be able to
take a test within 28 days of booking, but it may
not always be at your chosen location.
I hear that some countries have high
demand in test bookings is this true?
We have planned the provision of test points to
give adequate global and UK coverage to meet
anticipated customer demand. There are some
countries where demand for test booking will be
high at certain times during the year. However,
you should be able to book a test at a
permanent test point within a 28-day period.
I have a disability. Am I exempt from the
English language requirement?
If you require support, for example because you
have hearing difficulties, you should contact the
test provider.
If you think you may be exempt from the
requirement because you have a disability you
should check the GOV.UK website for further
information.

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